Master’s in FACTS and Power Flow Control
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in FACTS and power flow control, with 12 modules covering shunt and series compensation (SVC, STATCOM, TCSC, SSSC), combined controllers such as the UPFC, power electronics, modelling and control of FACTS, system studies, distribution solutions and grid enhancing technologies (IEEE 1031, IEEE 1052, IEC 60700-1), with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in FACTS and Power Flow Control — studying from Ireland
Ireland's energy sector is undergoing significant change, with a growing share of wind power, expanding grid infrastructure and investment in interconnection and storage. The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and Gas Networks Ireland manage major transmission and distribution assets, while EirGrid operates the national electricity transmission system. Engineers work on grid planning, renewable integration, network operation and energy system modelling. Regulation is provided by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, with national targets set by government climate and energy policy.
Fees for Ireland: €5,920 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies oversee energy and network engineering recognition?
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities regulates electricity and gas markets in Ireland, and EirGrid and ESB Networks operate the transmission and distribution systems. Engineers Ireland sets professional engineering standards and chartership. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is for employers or the relevant body to determine.
Do Irish energy and utility employers consider private online engineering qualifications?
Irish utilities, grid operators and consultancies generally prioritise professional registration, relevant degrees and operational experience. A private online qualification may support your application as evidence of study, but how it is weighed is at each employer's discretion. We cannot guarantee any outcome, so ask prospective employers directly.
Can I study alongside a job, and does my employer need to fund it?
The programme is online and taught in English, so you can study from home in Ireland with no travel and no student visa required. Plan for 1,900 hours on a master's, 800 on a postgraduate diploma or 300 on a specialist course. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer funding is possible but not required, so it is worth raising with your employer.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Analyse power flow control problems.
Understand shunt and series compensation devices.
Analyse combined controllers such as the UPFC.
Model FACTS devices in different simulation environments.
Design control strategies for FACTS devices.
Carry out system studies with FACTS.
Assess grid enhancing technologies.
Who it's for
- FACTS systems engineers
- Network studies engineers
- Power electronics engineers
- Power system control engineers
- Transmission network planners
- Commissioning engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join transmission system operators
What you'll work with
- IEEE 1031 (guide for the functional specification of SVCs)
- IEEE 1052 (guide for the functional specification of STATCOMs)
- IEC 60700-1 (thyristor valves for HVDC power transmission)
- IEEE 2745.1 (unified power flow controller specification)
- IEC 62927 (voltage sourced converter valves for STATCOM)
- CIGRE TB 663 (guidelines for the procurement and testing of STATCOMs)
- IEEE 824 (series capacitor banks in power systems)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 (transmission system operation guideline)
- DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- PSCAD/EMTDC
- PSS/E
- MATLAB/Simulink
- RTDS
12 modules
1.1Power flow in meshed networks1.2Transmission capacity limits1.3Congestion and parallel flows1.4The need for power flow control1.5Conventional control methods1.6The FACTS concept1.7Classification of FACTS devices1.8Technical and economic benefits1.9International experience with FACTS1.10Case study: congestion on an interconnector
2.1Shunt reactive power compensation2.2Switchable reactors and capacitors2.3Static var compensator (SVC)2.4TCR and TSC configurations2.5Static compensator (STATCOM)2.6STATCOM with multilevel converters2.7SVC and STATCOM comparison2.8Voltage control2.9Applications in networks with renewables2.10Lab: simulation of a STATCOM
3.1Fixed series compensation3.2Thyristor-controlled series capacitor (TCSC)3.3Static synchronous series compensator (SSSC)3.4Risk of subsynchronous resonance3.5Resonance mitigation3.6Protection of series capacitors3.7Increasing transmission capacity3.8Applications on long lines3.9Coordination with protection systems3.10Practical exercise: subsynchronous resonance study
4.1Unified power flow controller (UPFC)4.2Interline power flow controller (IPFC)4.3Mechanical phase-shifting transformers4.4Thyristor-controlled phase shifters4.5Modular power flow controllers4.6Distributed control devices4.7Device comparison4.8Technology selection4.9Reference projects4.10Lab: power flow control with a UPFC
5.1Thyristors and their applications5.2High-voltage IGBTs and IGCTs5.3Voltage source converters5.4Modular multilevel converters5.5Valves and cooling5.6Converter losses5.7Harmonics and filtering5.8Reliability and redundancy5.9Technology trends in semiconductors5.10Practical exercise: sizing a STATCOM converter
6.1Steady-state models6.2Load flow models6.3RMS dynamic models6.4Detailed EMT models6.5Generic industry models6.6Model validation6.7Simulation tools6.8Interface with network models6.9Model limitations6.10Lab: SVC model in PowerFactory
7.1Voltage control7.2Power control7.3Oscillation damping7.4Transient stability control7.5Coordinated control of multiple FACTS7.6Wide-area control7.7Use of phasor measurements7.8Controller tuning7.9Control testing7.10Practical exercise: damping inter-area oscillations
8.1Optimal power flow with FACTS8.2Optimal device placement8.3Stability studies8.4Contingency studies8.5Harmonic studies with FACTS8.6Interaction between controllers8.7Interaction with HVDC8.8Connection studies8.9Writing technical reports8.10Lab: optimal placement of a STATCOM
9.1D-STATCOM in distribution9.2Dynamic voltage restorers9.3Soft open points9.4Power flow control at medium voltage9.5Power quality improvement9.6Integration of distributed generation9.7Microgrids with power electronics9.8Distribution company case studies9.9Benefit assessment9.10Case study: soft open point at medium voltage
10.1Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs)10.2Dynamic line rating10.3Dynamic topology optimisation10.4Modular power flow controllers10.5Comparison with grid reinforcement10.6Regulation of GETs10.7European experience with GETs10.8Cost-benefit analysis of GETs10.9Rapid deployment of solutions10.10Practical exercise: dynamic rating of a line
11.1Technical specification of FACTS11.2Installation design11.3Civil works and buildings11.4Protection systems11.5Factory acceptance testing11.6Site testing11.7Commissioning11.8Operation and maintenance11.9Availability and reliability11.10Workshop: technical specification of a STATCOM
12.1Definition of the network problem12.2System modelling12.3Device selection12.4Control design12.5System studies12.6Benefit assessment12.7Economic analysis of the solution12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD/EMTDC, PSS/E, MATLAB/Simulink and RTDS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for EMT simulation of FACTS devices, real-time control testing and optimal placement studies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IEEE 1031, IEEE 1052, IEC 60700-1, IEEE 2745.1, IEC 62927, CIGRE TB 663, IEEE 824, Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 on system operation.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD/EMTDC, PSS/E, MATLAB/Simulink and RTDS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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